Ever nodded your head while your electrician says things like “line vs. load,” “pulling wire,” or “romex” — without having a clue what they actually mean?

Don’t worry — we’ve got your back. Here’s a fun and simple glossary of common electrician terms so you can talk the talk (or at least know what we’re talking about).

🧰 COMMON ELECTRICIAN LINGO (Translated for Humans)

🔌 1. Romex (a.k.a. NM Cable)

“We’ll just run some Romex to that outlet.”

Romex is the brand name everyone uses for non-metallic sheathed electrical cable — the standard wiring found in most homes. It's the flat, white, yellow, or orange wire you might see behind drywall or in basements.

🧵 2. Pulling Wire

“We’re gonna pull wire through the conduit.”

Not as dramatic as it sounds. “Pulling wire” just means feeding wires through pipes, walls, or conduit — usually with tools like fish tape or rods. It's how we get power from point A to point B.

🔄 3. Line vs. Load

“Make sure you don’t mix up the line and load sides.”

This is super important when working with outlets or breakers.

• Line = power coming in from the panel.
• Load = power going out to whatever device or outlet you’re connecting.

Mix these up, and things won’t work — or worse, might be dangerous.

🧨 4. Short

“You’ve got a short somewhere in this circuit.”

A short circuit happens when electricity takes a shortcut — like when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire directly. It can trip breakers or cause sparks/fire. Bad news, but fixable.

🔥 5. Dead Front

“That panel has a dead front cover.”

A dead front is the metal faceplate on a panel that covers live parts inside. It’s what keeps fingers (and tools) safe from shocks while letting you still access breakers.

🧯 6. Pigtail (No, Not the Hair Kind)

“Let’s pigtail these wires together.”

Pigtailing means twisting two or more wires together, usually with a wire nut, to connect them to a single terminal or outlet. It helps prevent loose connections and makes future repairs easier.

💡 7. GFCI & AFCI

“You need a GFCI here — it’s code.”

• GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects against shocks near water (kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors).
• AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects against fires from faulty wires — mostly required in bedrooms and living spaces.

🪛 8. Junction Box

“We’ll hide that splice in a junction box.”

A junction box is a safe container for wire connections — used when splicing wires or branching off from an existing circuit. Keeps sparks contained and your home up to code.

🧠 BONUS PHRASES TO IMPRESS (OR AT LEAST UNDERSTAND)

• Hot wire = The one carrying voltage (usually black or red).
• Neutral = Returns current to the panel (usually white).
• Ground = Safety path (bare or green).
• Breaker’s tripping = It’s shutting off due to overload or short.
• Code compliant = Meets electrical safety standards.

👷 At E&A Electric LLC, We Speak Human Too

We know not everyone grew up with wire cutters and voltage testers. That’s why we always explain things clearly — no ego, no jargon (unless you want to learn). Whether it’s a quick outlet fix or a full panel upgrade, we’ll talk you through it every step of the way.

📞 Got a question you’re afraid to ask? Ask us anyway. We’re here to help — and we love explaining this stuff.